We recently connected with MizzMegan and Ross Kelly and have shared our conversation below.

MizzMegan and Ross Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Megan: The most meaningful project of my journey has been the work I’ve done with Justin Jay and the record label Fantastic Voyage. I began my DJ career hosting our first label residency at The Dive in Houston, then grew to become an artist on the label and released my first EP. I assisted Justin in creating an online music production program which has seen multiple classes of emerging artists release records on the label over the past 2 years. We’ve created a community around the world that feels like a family, with each of us on our own unique journeys supporting one another.

Ross: A very meaningful project for me was Ways–the second speakeasy I curated that turned into the hottest afterhours party in Houston. It was very risque but more importantly it provided a unique sense of community, and a vibe and experience that was important to our city. It educated. And the education was for everyone involved. I’d learned a lot from my own experiences leading up to that chapter. I was content to provide a safe space in our night lives that was influential to many groups that emerged in the afterhours.

MizzMegan and Ross Kelly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ross: I am Ross Kelly, a DJ, artist, and event producer based in Houston. I first got interested in music and hosting parties in my early teens, having a history of pirating and burning mix CDs for my friends. I was always drawn to the way people from all walks of life connected for music, and as a dancer on the floor at parties I remember having an urge to be in control of that very thing that brought these people together. I thought I was worthy of that responsibility. I started DJing around Montrose in my early 20’s, and throwing monthly parties at venues like Jet Lounge and The Runway. I founded two warehouse spaces, Elbow Room and Ways. Now as a DJ, I play music with the notion that I don’t have anything to prove, with a raw uncut sound and energy. I feel like lots of DJs stray away from that approach, but I’m most interested in providing a heart to heart with the dancer.

Megan:
My relationship with music began in the dance studio. I grew up classically trained, and really connected to the musical aspects of tap dance, in particular. In my 20’s I moved into choreography and creative directing, and my understanding of music and performance grew deeper. All of my early music decisions were rooted in whether a song made me want to dance or not. After decades in the dance studio, I needed a new creative outlet, and after tap dancing in the crowd at a music festival I felt like I’d found a place where my two worlds of dance and music could come together. I explored DJing for the first time after meeting Justin Jay and becoming involved with Fantastic Voyage. That connection to the industry allowed me to form relationships with other labels like Dirtybird, and during the pandemic when I was unable to play gigs, I was inspired to take the dive into music production. After experiencing a sexual assault in a prominent local nightclub, I took a step back to evaluate the priorities of my music career. I began working with an organization to end sexual harassment and assault in nightlife, and now I’m focused on making positive change in our industry and local dance music culture.

Our duo project started as a way to bring our corners of the music scene together, the dance music industry and the deeper underground, to continue to strive to build a community that encompasses our values and the dreams we have for nightlife in Houston. We entered the studio together with zero judgements, balancing our raw creative intuition with technical production skills, and the results have been inspiring. We share many commonalities but take each other just out of our comfort zones with trust and respect, and we’ve helped each other grow personally and professionally. Whether releasing music collaborations or soundtracking a night together as a DJ duo, the focus is on authentic self-expression, and inspiring others to do the same.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Megan: The most rewarding aspect of being an artist has been the relationships and community that I have found in the music industry. Not only have I been able to create and perform at events with my closest friends, but I’ve released many collaborative music projects, including the most recent with Ross. I’ve connected with other artists whose values align with my own, who want to make a positive impact and provide a safe space for music and community. Sometimes I’ve found these people that I resonate with through positive experiences, but I’ve also faced hardships in nightlife that have strengthened me and shown me that the experience of acceptance and connection that can come through music and positivity is more important than any empty promise of exposure or fame.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Ross: My main goal is to make those shoulders drop. You came here to get loose so let’s dance!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fantasticvoyageofficial.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mizz_megan/ https://www.instagram.com/rossalindakruz/
• Other: https://four4consent.org